Ed & Mary, The lands covered by the swamps were of no practical use to vegetable farming of any kind. The lands above the high water [of the swamps] were used for Dairy farming, or to raise fruit. Hull, again in, "People of the Valleys..,." writes. "...It should be remembered that Warwick Valley did not consist of dairy farmers alone. Next to Newburg, Warwick was a leader in Orange County in the 1860's in fruit production. Apples were on top, but Warwick's orchards also brought forth an abundanse of peaches, pears, and cherries. Throughout the second half of the 19th century there was also a wide range of 'upland' [land above the swamp] vegetable crops, including sweet corn, tomatoes, cabbage, peas, and berries..." It must be remembered that New York State was at one time the leading producer and provider of tree fruit to the Northeastern markets: particularly apples, but also pears and peaches. Charles Ed & Mary Yonan wrote: > Tom, Howard and Charles, > > Many thanks to all three of you for the very helpful information about > the "Drowned Lands" of Orange Co. > > Were the early settlers (1720 - 1760) who bought land in the "Drowned > Lands" able to do any farming there at that time? If not, what did > they do for a living? > > Thanks again. > > Mary Allison Yonan